Fossil Falls Recreation Site is on Highway 395 between Lone Pine and Ridgecrest, California.
There aren’t any fossils, except the falls. An interesting geological feature. A good example of differential weathering.
Fossil Falls
Bristlecone and Rock
This Bristlecone Pine was growing right on top of a rock pile. My guess is that at one point in the past, the soil was present on top of the rock and has since eroded. The erosion of soil around the root systems is one of the causes of death for bristlecones. That’s one of the reasons that they request visitors to stay on the pathways: to keep erosion to a minimum.
Rock and Heather
No, this isn’t from some mountain meadow… it’s from my front yard. I love having the heather bloom all winter — giving what few bees are around some flowers to visit. The boulder was likely a glacial erratic that was on the property, but that was before my time here.
Alabama Hills and Mt Whitney
This photo was taken from the Alabama Hills just above Lone Pine, CA. The hills were a frequent film/tv location in the 40’s and 50’s. In the background you can see the Mt Whitney Portal road carved into the mountainside. The jagged ridge along the skyline is part of Mt Whitney.
Bristlecone Pines: Alive and Dead
It may not look like the tree on the left is still alive, but it is still hanging on. I liked the pattern these two created on the ridge line against the clouds.